Summary
The Sunday gospel portion for the 15th, 16th and 17th Sundays in ordinary time focus on the Parables contained in the gospel of Matthew. It has been a methodical movement through chapter 13, the second half of the Third Book of the Gospel of Matthew. Seven parables plus explanation. The parables are different from the teachings that precede them, as they force us/them to think differently and to probe for meaning (and enter into dialog about them with one another – it is described as ‘hidden’) rather than a simple correction of mistakes in taught laws and off-center practices. Parables hold a precious and sacred space within the life of Jesus and how we can understand divine mysteries: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Because parables open our minds, we can take this divine message and spot the nuanced difference. I desire mercy as your goal and sometimes sacrifice as its expression – not as an end unto itself.
Next week ends with an important question and a final conclusion.
“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
This final question about understanding parables is for us too. Because there is a dramatic transition about to take place. The mystery of parables is a way to understand the mystery of the next part of the life of Jesus (loving sacrifice). Our readings shift (adding back the Friday and Saturday before the 18th Sunday) to The Rejection at Nazareth, The Death of John the Baptist and the Feeding of the Five Thousand. That is, the intensification of the rejection of the Gospel and the broadening of the merciful acts of the Lord. The miracles go basically [editorial leeway, please] from particular (Leper, Child, the possessed, Paralytic) to general, i.e., Feeding 5,000 and 4,000 and the healing of many people – and the sacrifice that is born of love not blind adherence to law. Said another way, expanding in scale, intensifying the divine response.
And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”
The parables are more than a summation of the Old Testament moral thinking reconstituted. They are an invitation to think anew. Several times in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus asks: What do you think?
Reflection
- I put links to the parable Sunday readings below if you want to cruise back through and ask the question: Do I understand?
- Nobody has perfect understanding, so don’t fret about that.
- Plus there are more parables to come in the Matthew account anyway – more of a blend of teaching/parable.
Personal Reflection
Do you want me to give you the answer? It is hidden in the answer Jesus gave: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
As we move along into the Gospel these coming weeks sacrifice and mercy are not presented as opposites. In Jesus, sacrifice is no longer an alternative to mercy. Loving sacrifice becomes mercy enacted.
Sacred Readings full text referenced:
Fifteenth – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm
Sixteenth – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071926.cfm
Seventeenth – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072626.cfm
Eighteenth – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm
Personal Space
By the way, I set up a new desk setup in my office for typing and reading. Here are photos of my space. The desk to the left is for scheduling liturgy and financial things we all need to do (the light bill must be paid!). The book cases contain manuscripts, canon, music sheets, scores, multiple bible translations, Jewish midrash, treasured Catholic texts, and odds and ends. The shelf above contains keepsakes of days gone by.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry